hEAT STROKE

Heat Waves

We are all aware about the “Heat Stroke” and during summer it is not uncommon to get News Headlines about lost lives due to Heat Stroke.

Some basic about our body temperature:Ours and other living creatures do have capacity to reasonably tolerate and adjust their body system to extreme changes in temperature. This is done by the balancing act between heat loss and heat gain. Our body constantly produces heat to keep our temperature, normal temperature is also needed for our body system to function normally. A part of brain called Hypothalamus also plays important role in keeping our body temperature normal. At times, we face a problem with these mechanisms and suffer problems of excessive heat.

What happens with excessive heat?

Excessive heat damages our body cells by affecting proteins and fats in them. If not timely treated our body organs stops functioning (Also called multi-organ failure) and eventually a person can die. At high temperature, even Hypothalamus control is lost. Temperatures more than 1060 F (41.10 C) are dangerous and needs emergency medical attention.

Prevention is better than cure:

Take care of yourself and others. Following the steps mentioned below should help to minimize chances of getting heat related problems.

Keep a watch on weather.

Follow if there are any advice/warnings from weather department.

Keep your environment cool (Use of curtains, fans, Coolers or AC

Try to stay in cool place.

Wear light weight, light colour and loose cotton clothes

Maintain hydration, drink plenty of fluids Make sure there is adequate salt in your fluids (a good example is a glass of lemon juice with a pinch of salt and small amount of added sugar).

Take rest more often.

Stop or block source of light/heat (switch off bulbs, computers and other equipment’s)

Elderly, Children and those who are unwell are at risk, take extra care of them.